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National Harbor

Waterfront Development on the Potomac River

By , About.com Guide

National Harbor

Rendering of National Harbor at Night

© National Harbor
National Harbor is a 300-acre waterfront destination in the Washington, DC area that opened in the spring of 2008. Set along a prime spot on the Potomac River, National Harbor, a $2.1 billion mixed-use community built by the Peterson Companies, includes hotels, restaurants, retail stores, condominiums, a full-service marina, a convention center, and commercial office space. The cornerstone of the development of National Harbor is the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, said to be the largest non-gaming hotel and convention center on the East Coast. The National Children's Museum recently opened and plans are underway to build an MGM Casino and a Tanger Outlet Shopping Mall in the area.

See Photos of National Harbor

National Harbor Location and Transportation

National Harbor is located in Prince George's County, Maryland on the Potomac River, just minutes from Washington, DC.

See a map of National Harbor

The site is accessible from I-95/I-495, I-295, the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, and by water taxi from Washington, DC, Old Town Alexandria, Mount Vernon, and Georgetown. National Harbor is accessible by the NH-1 Metrobus with a direct route from the Branch Avenue Metro Station. A shuttle service runs between National Harbor and Union Station and the Old Post Office Pavilion in DC and the King Street Metro Station in Alexandria. The service is FREE for National Harbor residents, office employees and guests at participating hotels. Non-affiliated passengers may purchase $10 one-way tickets on a space-available basis.

Parking: National Harbor has three public parking garages with convenient Pay-on-Foot machines. Rates begin at $2 for the first hour and reach a daily maximum of $10.
  • Fleet Garage: Entrance located on Fleet Street
  • Mariner Garage: Entrance located on Mariner Passage
  • St. George Garage: Entrance located on St. George Blvd

Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center

The Gaylord is a world-class resort hotel featuring 2,000 guestrooms, flexible meeting and banquet facilities, 6 restaurants, a nightclub, retail shopping, a full service spa and fitness center, indoor/outdoor swimming pool and outdoor event space. The resort covers 41.7 acres and has spectacular views of the Potomac River and Old Town Alexandria. Read more about the Gaylord National Resort.

Additional National Harbor Hotels

National Harbor Restaurants

National Harbor offers a wide array of restaurants ranging from elegant waterfront dining to family-friendly and casual eating establishments. See a guide to the restaurants at National Harbor.

Shopping at National Harbor

The first phase of National Harbor includes upscale shopping, including retailers such as Fossil, Swarovksi, South Moon Under, Jos. A Banks, Godiva Chocolatier, America! and more. See a guide to shopping at National Harbor

National Harbor Pier

  • Water Taxi Service - Transportation will be available to and from Old Town Alexandria, Mount Vernon, and Georgetown. Future routes will include Reagan National Airport and The Washington National's Baseball Stadium.

  • Cruises - a variety of sightseeing boats depart from National Harbor. For information, see Washington DC Cruises Along the Potomac River

  • Private Slips - The 700 ft. long Pier & Marina will accommodate some of the largest pleasure craft on the Potomac.

  • Recreation - boating, fishing, jet skiing and more

Annual Events at National Harbor

See also, Things to Do at National Harbor

Official Website

www.nationalharbor.com

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